Artistic composition including a dark blue patterned background and burnt orange yellow textured foreground with three burn like circles across diagonally

Turangalîla: Infinite Love

1927 Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra bring Messiaen’s Turangalîla: Infinite Love to Southbank Centre

Conducted by Vasily Petrenko, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform Turangalîla: Infinite Love as part of the Southbank’s Multitudes Festival, 80 years after its premiere. Turn the dial up to 11 for a performance of Messiaen’s cosmic symphony, with animations from 1927 Studios.

Imagine a huge orchestra, a world-class pianist and a vintage electronic instrument straight out of science fiction, and you’re still not even halfway to imagining Messiaen’s mind-boggling Turangalîla-Symphonie.

‘A love song, a hymn to joy, time, movement, rhythm, life and death’ was how Messiaen himself described this vast, vibrant psychedelic masterpiece.

Inspired by the golden age of silent cinema, 1927 Studios – the visionary team behind the Komische Opera Berlin’s 2012 production of The Magic Flute (★★★★ The Guardian) – create an original film to play alongside the epic symphony.

Commissioned by the Southbank Centre and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In associated with Judith Dimant Productions.

Thursday 23 April 2026, 7:30pm
Royal Festival Hall
1hr 30 mins

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Conductor in a white shirt and dark jacket leading a large, seated orchestra of formally dressed musicians on a wooden stage.
Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo by Frances Marshall.
  • Imagery from 1927 studios' Turangalila film - a man and woman face each other looking shocked
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.
  • Woman playing a small wooden keyboard instrument (possibly a portative organ) with an orchestra. A large, dark, unusual musical apparatus sits next to her.
    The ondes Martenot, played by Cecile Lartigau. Photo by Antoine Saito.
  • Imagery from 1927 studios' Turangalila film - distortaed imagery of a man and woman's faces
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.
  • Conductor in a white shirt and dark jacket leading a large, seated orchestra of formally dressed musicians on a wooden stage.
    Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo by Frances Marshall.
  • A highly abstract and blurred portrait, possibly a close-up of a face, with bright pink/purple and white light emanating from the center, set against a dark, black background. It suggests movement or an ethereal effect.
    Imagery from 1927 studios’ Turangalila film. Image courtesy of 1927.

    • Creative team

    RoleName
    Conducted by Vasily Petrenko
    Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Animation provided by1927 Studios
    Supported by Southbank Centre

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